Ryan Mrozowski: Flotsam
Opening: 2 August 2014 at 6pm at The Gardens (Konstitucijos pr. 12A, Vilnius).
Organised by Art in General (New York).
Flotsam consists of four frames, or ‘apertures’, in which single book pages are suspended, each lit from behind by a single light bulb. These pages happen to have images—printed on both sides of the paper—that when placed in front of the light bulb, coalesce into a single, new ‘third’ image, or an instantaneous unintended collage. Much as is suggested by the exhibition title, which brings to mind images of miscellaneous debris or cargo that happens to wash up on shore at the same time, these double-sided pages are ‘coincidental’ artworks, found and collected by the artist in recent years. This body of work reflects Mrozowski’s larger interest in how we view objects and images that predate the Internet, the role of image editing software such as Photoshop, hidden messages, and the potential for latent meaning to develop in our immediate surroundings. For this project at The Gardens, Mrozowski will use book pages sourced locally in Vilnius.
Ryan Mrozowski is an interdisciplinary painter whose work has been recently exhibited at various venues including Chapter NY, Know More Games, Pierogi, Ziehersmith, ACME, Halsey McKay, and Daniel Weinberg Gallery. His work has been written about in The Los Angeles Times, Artforum, the NY Observer, Modern Painters, BOMB Magazine, and has been featured on the covers of New American Paintings and McSweeneys. Mrozowski received his BFA from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2003 and his MFA from Pratt Institute in 2005. Mrozowski was born in 1981, Indiana, PA, and lives and works in New York.
Art in General
Founded in 1981, Art in General gives local and international artists the opportunity to create and present new work by providing them with a high level of organizational and conceptual support including artist fees, production fees, exhibition space, a solo exhibition, promotion, and opportunities to engage with audiences through free online and public programs.
General Support of Art in General is provided by General Hardware Manufacturing Inc.; the Lambent Foundation Fund of Tides Foundation; the New York State Council on the Arts with support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; The Greenwich Collection; Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation; Agnes Gund; and by individuals. This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Ryan Mrozowski’s project is generously supported by the Trust for Mutual Understanding.